2018-04-23_REVISION - C1981020 (3)

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surface. A set of 10 readings was taken specifically to record hits on vegetation (by species), litter, (including standing dead), rock (>2mm), or bare soil. Hits were determined at each meter interval by activating a battery of 10 low-energy specialized lasers situated along the bar at 10 centimeter intervals and recording the variable intercepted by each of the narrowly focused (0.02 beams (Figure 1). In this manner, a total of 100 intercepts per transect were recorded resulting in 1 percent cover per intercept. This methodology and instrumentation facilitates the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover data possible. 2.3 Determination of Current Annual Production At all sample sites in the reference and reclamation areas, current annual herbaceous production was collected from a 0.5 m2 quadrat frame placed one meter and 900 to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect to facilitate avoidance of vegetation trampled by investigators during sample site location (Figure 1). From within each quadrat, all above ground current annual vegetation within the vertical boundaries of the frame was clipped and bagged separately by lifeform as follows: Perennial Grasses Annual Grasses Sub -Shrubs Noxious Weeds - Other Perennial Forbs Annual & Biennial Forbs Noxious Weeds — Cheatgrass All production samples were returned to the lab for drying and weighing. Drying occurred at 105° C until a stable weight was achieved (24 hours). Samples were then weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram. Total weights for each sample were compiled and converted to pounds per acre prior to success determination. 2.4 Determination of Woody Plant Density Belt transects were co -located with the ground cover points to obtain a reasonable estimate of the woody plant density of the revegetation areas. At each of the sample sites, a 4 -meter by 25 -meter long belt transect was established in the direction of the next sampling point (typically in a cardinal compass direction). Then within each belt, all woody plants (shrubs, trees, sub -shrubs, and succulents) were enumerated by species. Determination of whether or not a plant could be counted was dependent upon the location of its main stem or root collar where it exited the ground surface with regard to belt limits. 2.5 Sample Adeauacy Determination Sampling within each unit (Phase III Bond Release Block or Sagebrush Reference Area) was conducted to a minimum of 30 samples. From these preliminary efforts, sample means and standard deviations for total non -overlapping vegetation ground cover, production, and woody plant density were calculated. The CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. 9 Munger Canyon Mine - 2016 & 2017 Revegetation Phase III Bond Release Report